February 13, 2007 - #8 Hofstra 29 Rider 9

February 13, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Wrestling
#8 Hofstra University 29, Rider University 9

HEMPSTEAD, NY—Fresh off a dual meet at third ranked Iowa State, the Broncs took on eighth ranked Hofstra Tuesday night in a Colonial Athletic Association dual meet on Long Island. “I thought our kids wrestled hard and were very impressive,” said Rider head coach Gary Taylor, “and I was pleased with that. Hofstra very much knew they were in some tough matches.”

For the Broncs (9-8, 3-3 CAA), sophomore Mike Kessler (Randallstown, MD/Owings Mills) upset the 19th ranked wrestler in the nation 4-2 to cut the Hofstra (18-3-2, 7-0 CAA) lead to 11-9. “Kessler showed a lot of heart,” Taylor said. “He had to take Smith down in the last 30 seconds just to tie it and try to get the kid’s riding time off, but instead he just took him down and held on, lifted the kid onto his back and ended up scoring some back points and won the match. Kessler showed a tremendous amount of heart in that match.”

Sophomore Doug Umbehauer (Shamong/Lenape), ranked eighth in the nation, lost 3-2 to the ninth ranked wrestler in the nation. “I felt that Doug dictated the tempo of the whole match but the kid got an early take down right off the very first whistle and that cost Doug,” Taylor said.  “Doug competed very hard.”

Junior 141 Don Fisch (Williamstown/Delsea) lost 8-4 to the seventh ranked wrestler in the nation.  “Donnie closed the gap between himself and Griffin,” Taylor said.  “He could have won that match and hopefully the next time he meets him (CAA Championships) he will.”

After taking on a pair of top-10 teams, Rider now concentrates on setting up the seeds for the CAA Championships with a pair of CAA duals. “This past week we got a chance to compete against a lot of the better kids in the nation and I think that will help us,” Taylor said.  “We now have to stay focused and we have to do what we need to do to hold on to our seeds. We have to compete well this weekend. Everything is on the line for the conference championships.”

The Broncs host Boston University in a CAA dual Friday and host Sacred Heart in the regular season finale Sunday afternoon.

-RU-

 

285 – Matt Pollock (H) major dec. Nick Ciufo-R       11-0  4-0
125 – Thomas Lorenzo-R won by forfeit                          4-6
133 – Lou Ruggierllo-H major dec. Brian Polashuk-R 12-0  8-6
141 – Charles Griffin-H dec. Don Fisch-R                    8-4 11-6 
149 – Michael Kessler-R dec. Mitch Smith-H              4-2  11-9 
157 – James Strouse-H major dec. Nate Galloway-R  10-1  15-9
165 – Mike Patrovich-H tech fall Robbie Morrison-R  21-6  20-9
174 – Alton Lucas-H dec. Doug Umbehauer-R             3-2  23-9 
184 – Joe Rovelli-H dec. Mike Miller-R                        4-0  26-9
197 – Chris Weidman-H dec.T.J. Morrison-R               9-3  29-9